Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (ARABIAN LEOPARD) (5-1) - Price play has needed some starts before figuring out what is expected of him. He sold for $575,000 this past spring as a 2-year-old in training and is in the Baffert barn. Much improved in his last pair, he was an impressive maiden winner going 6.5-furlongs on the Del Mar dirt Nov 29. Competitive in his only previous grass race, he's been working sharply and can take this at a square price.
2nd pick: #7 (Path of David) (5-2) - I thought he was extremely professional and impressive looking when rallying to break his maiden Nov 28 at Del Mar at this trip on the grass.. Race was his first in eight weeks, first on the west coast, and first for trainer Kristin Mulhall. Working very fast and I almost made him the top choice.
3rd pick: #6 (Imperious One) (6-1) - Irish bred went 4-1-1-1 racing in England before coming to North America. Colt ran evenly at Del Mar in the G3 C.B.Demille Stakes in his first off almost a 12-week break. Blinkers go on and Bejarano stays aboard. Look for a much better effort today.
4th pick: #10 (Canada) (4-1) - He raced evenly while wide last out while finishing 3 1/2 lengths in front of 'Imperious One.' He draws a tough outside post for his style and will need a fast and/or contested pace for anything more than a minor award.
5th pick: #1 (Trust Your Gut) (12-1) - Claimed out of his debut by trainer Mark Glatt for a hefty $62,500, he's been very sharp in both starts for the new barn.Switched to the grass Oct 16, he finished third of 10, beaten 1 1/2 lengths on this course. His maiden win came at this distance on the Del Mar turf Nov 8. Freshened up since, he has a stalking style, breaks from the rail, and can't be eliminated.